India’s soft power was in full flow and resplendent display at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. The 12-day annual calendar jamboree, attracts over 35,000 committed cinephiles, film critics, and entertainment and media moghuls from across the globe. In that Cannes Film Festival saw India, and Karnataka, was not wanting in representation or glory at the fantabulous festival.
Both in films that were invited to vie for the top honours and Bollywood glitterati who had their oomph moment at the gala Palais du Festival walking the red carpet, it was as if a mini IFF (International Film Festival of India) was on at the famous French Riveria’s exalted Croisette amphitheatre of cinemas.
To the shouts and screams of frenzied die-hard fans and equally curious onlookers seeking to capture them in their cell phones for posterity, the Indian celebrities, in their marquee branded haute couture best, basked their fanboy moment under the glowing sun, starry skies and more importantly, the paparazzi’s flashlights.
The blustery winds, the occasional raindrops, notwithstanding, people of all hues and vocations that had congregated at the prestigious film festival soaked in the festive milieu, all drawn by their love of cinema, while the French police and festival volunteers had a tough time in ensuring everything went as smoothly and were in order.
That several holding placards seeking tickets, invitations and what have you to the happenings, gala events and screenings, was a curious sight to behold.
However, what turned the 77th Cannes Film Festival memorable was one that witnessed a lot of activity and events that pitchforked India and its soft power to the centre stage of conversations and social dos and business to business meetings and seminal discussions on topical themes.
The Bharat Pavilion was a hive of activity with several states pitching for business and promoting them as an ideal destination for location film shooting and co-production opportunities in attendance were Goa, Maharashtra (with its own stall), Jammu & Kashmir, and last, but not the least, Karnataka.
The high profile talks, discussions and presentations focused on incentives being offered, co-production opportunities with India and respective states. Besides a case study of successful international co-production with India, a discussion also went into post-production facilities currently available in India.
With the overall objective being to promote India’s soft power through cinema, these talks, discussions and presentations saw several State policies regarding film production being elucidated upon, the Center-State Incentives in place to woo foreign production houses to film in India, besides educating overseas participants on the various international film festivals being held across India.
Besides, Cannes this year, saw as many as seven Indian films and events with Indian connection. Given that Cannes serves as the launchpad for films in the months to come, both at festival circuits and theatrical releases, several Indian films trailers were showcased at the Bharat Pavilion.
A Session on Federal and State policies regarding film production which had Discussion on Center-State Incentives chaired by Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, saw presentations from the state representatives present.
In this regard, Karnataka had a fruitful participation during the run of the Cannes Film Festival with the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr Thrilok Chandra having fruitful presentations and discussions with decision makers and prospective film makers and production houses keen on looking at India, more so, Karnataka for their projects.
The Principal Secretary, in his presentation, on opportunities in Karnataka, elaborated on the State Film Policy and the incentives being offered to films have locate in Karnataka, and other policy prescriptive in place to promote both film tourism and filming opportunities in Karnataka.
The Principal Secretary, during his whistle stop attendance at the Cannes Film Festival also had fruitful talks with the France based cultural outfit Indian Conservatory of Paris, run by Bhavana and Pradyumna Kandadai, both Kannadigas. The discussion centered around building cultural ties between France and Karnataka and expand the gamut of these to include films as well besides music.
Dr Thrilok Chandra also had a person-to-person interaction with His Excellency Jawed Ashraf, Hon’ble Ambassador of India to the Republic of France and Principality of Monaco for possible cultural and trade cooperation between France and Karnataka, with specific reference to films-based activities.
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S Viswanath who is veteran Film Journalist / Critic & involved in various key capacities at many International Film Festivals circuits across the Globe also co-author of book ‘Random reflections: kaleidoscopic musings on Kannada cinema.
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